Stenson claims victory in Munich

Wednesday 4 January 2006 00:09 BST

A four-foot eagle putt on the first play-off gave Swede Henrik Stenson victory over Ryder Cup teammate Padraig Harrington and South African Retief Goosen at the BMW International Open in Munich on Sunday.

On the day his fellow Dubliner Paul McGinley hung on to his Ryder Cup place along with Jose Maria Olazabal, Harrington had a 12-foot chance to win on the closing par five, but missed it. He fell alongside Goosen and Stenson, who had already finished on 15 under, and then overnight leader David Howell missed a three-footer that would have put him into sudden death as well.

Come the shoot-out Stenson's approach to the 18th landed in the left-hand rough, but kicked down close to the flag. Goosen and Harrington both birdied, but it was not enough. For Harrington it was the 29th runners-up finish of his career. For Stenson it was the perfect boost ahead of his debut at the K Club.